Category: LAHBPA

Trainer Delany Seriously Injured at Delta Downs

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Delany is recovering after being kicked in the neck by a horse Feb. 7.

Louisiana-based trainer Sarah Delany is recovering in a Houston, Texas, hospital after being kicked in the neck by a horse Feb. 7 at Delta Downs Racetrack.

Delany, who trains alongside her husband Benny Martinez, was flown from a hospital in Lake Charles, La., to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston. She underwent spinal fusion surgery and is expected to face a lengthy recovery.

Friend and horse owner Brian Poppenberg said he spoke with Delany and that she has feeling and movement in all extremities.

Delany conveyed to her husband he didn’t need to rush to Houston as her family resides in the area. After tending to the horses, Martinez made his way to Texas Feb. 8.

In a text message from Delany’s phone, her family said the trainer “needs prayers”.

Poppenberg said he wasn’t sure how the accident happened, but noted that Delany and her husband are a “two-man show with maybe two or three grooms.”

A GoFundMe has been established to help with medical expenses. As of Thursday afternoon, more than $5,000 toward a goal of $100,000 has been raised. The GoFundMe can be found here.

The Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association will also provide aid through benefits that Delany has as a member but also via a contribution that is yet to be determined by the HBPA’s medical benefit board of trustees.

Louisiana HBPA executive director Ed Fenasci said that in addition to the medical trust, the organization will undertake fundraising efforts to help.

Poppenberg is part of a group of Delany’s friends who launched the GoFundMe and spread the word of her situation.

“To get visibility, to get other trainers to donate, to get the sales companies, to get people like (Mike) Repole or Spendthrift or whoever else out there will look at this as one of those things where if it was something that happened to a Brad Cox or Joe Sharp or Neil Pessin, or somebody like that, the industry would rally around because they’re well-known names,” said Poppenberg of the GoFundMe. “They’re big-time players and the small outfits don’t get that visibility and I am going to do everything in my power to make this as visible as possible.”

He added, “When Benny and Sarah have claimed horses in the past, let’s say they got from another trainer that after they claimed we’re not really racing fit, they would immediately retire (the horse) and then send them to Nicole (Snyder, who set up the GoFundMe). … That’s what I’ve always loved and respected about them.”

It is unknown at this time what will happen to the horses that Delany trains, but Poppenberg anticipates they will be moved to other trainers soon.

Delany has a career record of 280-277-224 from 1,941 starts and has earned more than $4,605,206. Her winningest trainee is Queeten , who earned $225,385 under her care.

Deadline Extended to May 19 for $5000 Scholarship for Students Within the Louisiana Horse Industry

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Clear Creek Stud is making a $5000 Scholarship Donation in the name of their clients to a college student with Louisiana based connections to the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Breeding and Racing Industry.

Clear Creek Stud recognizes that for many of the people who perform the hard work of this industry day in and day out, the rewards are often not financial. “We want to help the children who come from these families who put in the long hours and hard work that are essential to keep our industry in operation,” says Val Murrell, general manager of Clear Creek Stud. 

The scholarship recipient will be chosen by the Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (LaHBPA) and based on their opinion and evaluation of need and merit.

The deadline for consideration has been extended from Friday, May 12 to Friday, May 19, 2023. Interested students should send a letter and resume to Eddie Fenasci at the La.H.B.P.A. office by end of business day, Friday, May 19, 2023. Letters can be mailed to La.H.B.P.A. attention to Eddie Fenasci 1535 Gentilly Blvd. New Orleans, La. 70119 or email to efenasci@lahbpa.org.

The recipient will be named on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the LTBA Awards Banquet at Evangeline Downs.

Clear Creek Stud Offers Scholarship for Students from Within the Louisiana Horse Industry

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With an eye toward the future of our industry, Clear Creek Stud will once again be making a $5000 Scholarship Donation in the name of their clients to a college student with Louisiana based connections to the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Breeding and Racing Industry.

Clear Creek Stud recognizes that for many of the people who perform the hard work of this industry day in and day out, the rewards are often not financial. “We want to help the children who come from these families who put in the long hours and hard work that are essential to keep our industry in operation,” says Val Murrell, general manager of Clear Creek Stud. 

The scholarship recipient will be chosen by the Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (LaHBPA) and based on their opinion and evaluation of need and merit.

Interested students should send a letter and resume to Eddie Fenasci at the La.H.B.P.A. office by end of business day, Friday, May 12, 2023. Letters can be mailed to La.H.B.P.A. attention to Eddie Fenasci 1535 Gentilly Blvd. New Orleans, La. 70119 or email to efenasci@lahbpa.org.

The recipient will be named on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the LTBA Awards Banquet at Evangeline Downs.

Louisiana AG Landry to give HBPA Conference keynote address

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(Photo: Jeff Landry, courtesy Louisiana Attorney General’s office)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023) — Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry will be the keynote speaker at the National HBPA’s annual conference March 6-10 at the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter, the horsemen’s organization announced.
The conference, which is hosted by the Louisiana HBPA, will be held in conjunction with the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) Annual Meeting and Racing Integrity Conference. The National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association represents about 30,000 thoroughbred owners and trainers. The ARCI is the umbrella organization which exists to assist in the coordination of the collective efforts of its members who are responsible for ensuring compliance with government laws and regulations designed to protect the general public and racing industry participants, including the equine and canine athletes.
Landry will deliver the conference’s keynote address on Tuesday March 7. As Louisiana’s attorney general, he has been at the forefront of states challenging the constitutionality of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (Authority) that the law established. In addition to constitutionality issues, Landry has expressed concern for the financial hardship that a largely duplicative bureaucracy will put on large portions of the horse-racing industry. Louisiana has four tracks that conduct horse racing.
“Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry embodies the positive vision with the inspiration and passion we seek in a keynote speaker,” said Eric Hamelback, the National HBPA’s CEO. “He has proven to be a strong advocate for horsemen and women who understands our labor-intensive industry with its substantial agribusiness, not only in Louisiana but throughout the country. He believes in a bright and better future for horse racing, and refuses to let us be trampled by special interests.”
“I am honored to be chosen the keynote speaker at the National HBPA Conference, and I look forward to visiting with so many who ply their trade in such a great industry,” said Landry, a decorated Army veteran. “I will continue fighting for them to prevent the federal government from taking over horse racing.”
The HBPA and ARCI will share panel discussions and presentations during their overlapping conferences while staging their business sessions separately. HISA will be the focus.
“Within horse racing right now, the obvious overarching topic is the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act,” said National HBPA President Dr. Doug Daniels, an equine veterinarian and racehorse owner/breeder. “Even as the challenges of its unlawfulness proceed and many in the industry fight back against the lack of transparency and overwhelming cost, we must understand portions of HISA are the law of the land everywhere but in the Fifth Circuit. Our goal in joining with Association of Racing Commissioners International at our conference is to provide a forum for frank discussions on where we are, where we’re headed, how we navigate an admittedly flawed law and process, and how everything should look after the court decisions are settled.”
One key panel could be called “what’s next?,” addressing alternative legislation to HISA and other options for a path forward for the industry. Panelists will include ARCI President Ed Martin and Amy Cook, the executive director of the Texas Racing Commission.
“A major part of the conference will be focused on laying out the issues with HISA and also how the industry can move forward,” Hamelback said. “We strongly believe there are more effective means that are constitutional. We also believe bringing the leadership of all stakeholders to the table will provide positive change that improves our industry without jeopardizing the financial health of smaller racetracks and racing stables.”
The meeting of the ARCI’s model rules committee will be open for both groups to attend. The ARCI model rules — developed with input from industry stake-holders while seeking scientific guidance and identifying best practices — are the blue print many racing commissions use for their state regulations.
Other joint sessions include a HISA litigation update, equine welfare with a focus on aftercare and scientific developments, fixed odds in horse racing and a trainers’ panel featuring Louisiana HBPA board members Bret Calhoun and Ron Faucheux and Kentucky HBPA board member Jason Barkley.
The HBPA programming will also include the annual Kent Stirling Memorial Medication Panel, which this year will delve into laboratories’ “limits of detection” and how it affects drug testing in horse racing.
The conclave kicks off with a reception on Monday March 6, followed by three days of panel discussions, presentations and meetings and an outing at the Fair Grounds for racing on Thursday March 9. The full HBPA board will meet Friday March 10 to close out the proceedings.
“The National HBPA Conference has become one of the most informative and newsworthy annual meetings on the racing calendar,” Hamelback said. “But it wouldn’t be possible without our corporate and conference sponsors. The Louisiana HBPA has gone out of its way to make the 2023 conference even more memorable.”
More information and registration is available at nationalhbpa.com/convention.

Attention all Louisiana Horsemen: Please help protect Louisiana Horse Racing

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Several news outlets reported yesterday that Senator Mitch McConnell is promoting a “legislative correction” to the HISA laws now that a federal appeals court has concluded it is Unconstitutional. Once again, McConnell plans to bypass the normal process that would allow hearing and debate on his legislation by attaching his “fix” to a “Must Pass” bill such as a year ending spending bill. This path is like the way McConnell slipped the current law into Covid Relief legislation in 2020.

The Louisiana State Racing Commission (LSRC) has regulated horse racing in Louisiana for over a century. The LSRC is in the unique position to know what is best for Louisiana racing and Louisiana racing participants. The Commission and our Louisiana legislators work with industry participants to formulate laws and rules which protect our horses and jockeys and create a fair playing field for all participants.

The Louisiana HBPA urges all industry participants to contact your U.S. House Representative and your U.S. Senators (contact information provided below) and voice your opposition to these “back room” deals that circumvent your right to be heard. Specifically, ask your congressmen to block any effort by HISA for another quick fix that got us in this mess in the first place. Our horsemen’s representative wants to work with ALL parties for new, sensible legislation that allows our jobs-heavy industry and related agribusiness to thrive and improve, rather than to choke from ill-advised legislation snuck through by a well-financed minority.

You can use this link to identify and contact your Representative:
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

 

Contact information for the U.S. Senators from Louisiana is:

Senator John Kennedy
https://www.kennedy.senate.gov/public/
416 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Office number 202-224-4623

Senator Bill Cassidy
https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/
520 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Office number 202-224-5824

Clear Creek Stud to Host Stallion Presentation, Saturday, December 3

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Clear Creek Stud is holding their annual Stallion Presentation Saturday, December 3rd from 10:30 am until 2:00 p.m., at their farm in Folsom, Louisiana.

Several dignitaries will be on hand to speak and visit with guests, including Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Mike Strain, State Senator Beth Mizell, LAHBPA Executive Director Ed Fenasci, LAHBPA President Benard Chatters, LTBA President Warren Harang, and Louisiana Solicitor General Liz Murrill, the top litigator on the Louisiana Attorney General’s staff. This is an opportunity for horsemen and women to share ideas and concerns with each other as well as political leaders across the state.

The highlight of the day will be the presentation of Clear Creek Stud’s 2023 stallion roster.  Clearly Now (Horse Greeley-Bend, by Arch) is a multiple graded stakes winning millionaire . His first foals are just beginning to run, with his first winner breaking his maiden at two by 4 ¾ lengths. Proven sire Custom For Carlos (More Than Ready-Meadow Oaks, by Meadowlake) is the 2022 leading sire of Louisiana-breds. His current leading runner, Janet is Ready, has already won three stakes as a juvenile.  Imperial Hint (Imperialism-Royal Hint, by Lahint) is a multi-millionaire, four time Grade 1 Stakes Winner and record setting sprinter. His first crop are very attractive and will be yearlings in 2023. Mr. Money (Goldencents-Plenty O’Toole, by Tiznow) is an exciting new addition to the Clear Creek Stud roster. A Grade 1 placed multiple graded Stakes Winner, he is one of only two sons of Goldencents at stud anywhere. His first crop are yearlings of 2023, and they are exceptional. Star Guitar (Quiet American-Minit Towinit, by Malagra) completes the 2023 stallion roster. Unequivocally the best Louisiana-bred runner in history, Star Guitar is a perennial leading sire in Louisiana. With seven crops to run, he has an impressive 43 stakes horses to date including three graded stakes horses.

A catered buffet  lunch will be provided starting at 11:30, with the stallion presentation beginning at 12:00 noon. A family friendly event, there will be pony rides, Santa Claus and many children activities to entertain younger visitors.

 

Clear Creek Stud Stallion Presentation
Saturday, December 3, 2022
10:030 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.
Opening Ceremony 11:00 a.m.
Buffet 11:30 a.m.
Stallion show 12:00 noon
Entertainment
Special Guest Speakers
Including State Officials, Representatives from
the Racing Commisssion and HBPA
Door Prizes and more
11591 Hwy 1078
Folsom, LA 70437

HISA, FTC Seek Stay Of Federal Judge’s Injunction Blocking HISA In Louisiana, West Virginia

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The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and the Federal Trade Commission have each filed emergency motions seeking stays of a federal judge’s injunction effectively blocking the Authority from enforcing its regulations in the states of Louisiana and West Virginia.

The motions were filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans.

The injunction, ordered July 26 by Judge Terry A. Doughty in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette Division, was in conjunction with a lawsuit filed against the FTC, HISA and its board members and CEO by the states of Louisiana and West Virginia, their respective racing commissions, Jockeys’ Guild, Inc., Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association and five individuals.

 

Read Paulick Report Article

Stay of Adverse Ruling Denied, HISA Seeks Clarification

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Federal District Judge Terry Doughty July 29 denied a motion filed by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority to stay enforcement of a preliminary injunction entered July 26 against HISA’s enforcement of its rules in Louisiana and West Virginia.

At the same time, HISA appealed the preliminary injunction to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. The online record appears to direct the court clerk to certify the appeal record by Aug. 15.

HISA also filed a motion asking Doughty to clarify that the preliminary injunction applies to named plaintiffs only and not to all of plaintiffs’ members nationwide. The Jockeys’ Guild and Louisiana Horsemen Benevolent and Protective Association, who are among the plaintiffs, publicly took the latter position after the injunction was entered. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include only five individuals.

 

Read BloodHorse Article

Louisiana Downs to Host HISA Webinars

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Dear Louisiana Horsemen & Racing Association Members,

 

Currently, implementation of HISA (Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act) commences on July 1, 2022, with the HISA “Safety Program”. There will be two events that Louisiana Downs will be hosting in our Sky Room, that anyone with a LSRC license is invited and encouraged to attend.

1. Monday June 13th , 2022, Q&A Webinar Presentation – -(SKY ROOM) (10:30am-11:30 cst) -A zoom/ webinar call with HISA representatives, answering questions that “covered persons” may have. Topics on this webinar will be implementation, registration, allocation of fees, and rules of HISA.

The webinar meeting will be held physically in the Sky Room. Horsemen, and Association members who will not be at our facility can call in via zoom (see attached). Louisiana Downs will send the LAHBPA, as well as the LTBA, dial in information. Our Racing Ambassador Roxanne Tanner will moderate the call.

Please submit your questions for webinar to:

 

Roxanne Tanner (RTanner@ladowns.com); 318-741-2516

Jennifer Sokol (Jsokol@ladowns.com) 318-741-2512

 

2. Friday June 17th , 2022; Registration Day -–(SKY ROOM) (10:30am -?) HISA representatives will be at Louisiana Downs assisting horsemen, and association members with registration. Anyone with a LSRC license, can come to the Sky Room, and register with HISA representatives at this event.

Our association hopes both events will help clarify questions, as well assist in registration. Members of our Racing Team will be at these events as well to assist you.

Mitch Dennison

General Manager of Racing Louisiana Downs Casino and Racetrack 8000 E Texas Street, Bossier City LA 71111 Office:318-752-6503; MDennison@ladowns.com Zoom Call / Webinar Information

Event: Louisiana Downs; Q/A Webinar Presentation with HISA Representatives

Date: Monday June 13 th ,2022

Time: 10:30 am (cst)

Location: Sky Room, Louisiana Downs or Dial in Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84061654184?pwd=SDVTalhnUFJTUktXTFh3aXJaSkdqZz09

Dial in by phone information:

Meeting ID: 840 6165 4184 Passcode: 815033

Dial by your location

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

Meeting ID: 840 6165 4184 Passcode: 815033

***Call is moderated by Louisiana Downs, please mute your phone or computer during the call. ****

Make sure your microphone is always on mute, only opening it when it is your turn to speak.

 

HISA Events LAD

LAHBPA Asks Louisiana Horsemen to Request Their US Representatives and Senators to Repeal HISA

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NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS

The Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) was enacted in 2020 and is current Federal Law. As a result, it can be fully enforced by the Federal Authorities, including but not limited to, US Marshalls, US Attorney’s and even the US National Guard, if necessary. The initial implementation of HISA commences on July 1, 2022, with the HISA “Safety Program”. The Federal Government has appointed a board for all aspects of HISA to be applied to United States horse racing, without exception.

The funding for this initial implementation is by way of an assessment placed on each race track based upon a combination of race days and purses available. The 1 st responsible party for the payment of this assessment is each state’s racing commission. If the commission declines this assessment, then the obligation is the responsibility of the race tracks. In addition to this assessment, other numerous mandates, which include, track surface safety, jockey physicals, complete identification of all participating personnel, concussion protocols, jockey whip rule and penalties, and an array of other federal regulations, will be enforceable. As time progresses, even more regulations will be imposed by HISA associated with medication.

Shortly after HISA became law, under President Trump’s signature, the Louisiana HBPA conducted strategy meetings with the National HBPA and its other affiliates to combat the effects of HISA. After no success administratively, Louisiana HBPA joined in a federal lawsuit that was filed in Texas seeking to have HISA declared unconstitutional. Simultaneously, the Louisiana HBPA worked closely with the Louisiana Attorney General, such that, the state of Louisiana joined other States in an action filed in Federal Court in Kentucky, challenging the legality of HISA. The Texas cause of action was unsuccessful at the district court level and was appealed to the United States fifth circuit in New Orleans. The fifth circuit recently issued a ruling questioning HISA’s authority in connection with the Federal Trade Commission. Unfortunately, this ruling, does not prevent HISA from becoming effective on July 1, 2022. It does, however, provide a glimmer of hope that with additional appellate practice, relief may be granted to combat the effects of HISA. As of this date, no decision has been rendered from the Kentucky district court.

The LAHBPA again requests that its members and all participants in Louisiana Horse Racing contact and ask their United States Representatives and Senators to repeal HISA.

 

Notice – HISA 5_25_2022